Industrial truck



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May 10 27 c. E. COCHRAN INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed sept. zo, 1924 s sheets-sheet 2 May 1o, 1927.

C. E. COCHRAN INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Sept. 20, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 @www s@ fr LM n y @Hommage Patented May 10l9i27.

CLYDE E. COCHRAN, CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSGNR T THE FIAMME-PARKER ELEC- 'ERIC CMPANY, DF CLEVELAND,

INDUSTRL TRUG.

Application led september a6, ibase. Serial No. 75.38339.

'l`he invention is concerned with industrial trucks and particularly that type of truck equipped with a load elevating platform.

The general object of my invention is to provide an industrial truck adaptable to the automatic loading and unloading of various objects including fungible material, in an economical and expeditious manner. When transporting fungible material such as 10 crushed stone, sand, etc.,*carried in portable bins, my object is to provide a truck which will enga e, transport, elevate, and then unload the ins by a dumping action, while the bins remain on the truck.

A more specific object of my invention is the provision of an attachment for industrial trucks of the load elevating ty e which is adapted to engage dumping bo ies contain-I ing the material to be lhandled'and to elevate the bodyand its contained load, while maintaining it in a horizontal position, to a considerable predetermined height, ,whereupon the load elevating platform-and removable body are automatically dumped while the body remains upon the platform.

@ther objects Iof mylinvention will hereinafter be set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred form thereof.

to rlhe essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

ln the drawings, Fi 1 is a side elevation of an industrial truc equipped with my' novel load elevating and dumping mechane nism; Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the rear portion of the truc-k and the load elevating mechanism thereof; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the load elevating mechanism; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view @l taken substantially along the lines 4--4 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail taken along the lines 5-5 of Fig. l and Fig. 6 isa fragmentary detail showing an adjustable tipping means.

My invention when adapted to the transporting of fungible materials, contemplates the use of a plurality of removable dumping bodies which may be supported on casters, or otherwise su ported with the bottoms m thereof at a sufiiclent elevation to permit the engaging of the bottoms of the bodies by the load elevating platform of an industrial truck, whereby a loaded body may be positioned on the truck, transported to some remote station and by equipping the load ele vating truck with my novel mechanism to elevate the load and automatically dump it from the body while the body is retained on the truck. 1

My novel dumping mechanism is illustrated in the drawings as beingadapted to use on a tier lift trucksuch as l have described and claimed in Patent No. 1,541,029 issued June 9, 1925, to the Elwell-Parker Electric Company of Cleveland, Ohio, which .company is also the assignee of this present application, on an industrialtruck. lneneral, such a truck comprises a motor and attery carryingframe which is elevated at the back and low slung at the'front whereby a load elevating platform may be lowered close to the ground and an upright frame interposed intermediate the ends of the truck frame for supporting the load elevating mechanism which carries the 'platform.

s shown in the drawings, the truck has a pair of motor driven wheels 10 at the rear thereof, the Wheels 10 being driven by a motor through suitable reduction gearing (not shown) the motor being energlzed by batteries contained within a housing 13, mounted upon the forward portion of the frame adjacent the midportion of the platform. Front steeringwheels 11 of relatively small diameter are controlled by suitable steering mechanism controlled from the rear of the truck. The forward end of the truck has low slung frame members 14 which support an upright frame comprising channel members 15, the channel members, which are suitably braced laterally, form a rigid structure supporting a vertically movable l... shaped frame having arms 16. Rollers 17 and 18 are attached to the L frame and ride upon the flanges of the channel members.

The l. frame and arms 16v constitute a support for a load receiving platform 20 which is pivotally mounted thereupon, whereby the load platform may be permitted to be tilted by gravity. The frame comprising the arms 16 is actuated vertically by a motor driven winding mechanism represented at. 21, cooperating with a winding mechanism 22 mounted upon the arms 16 and a cable 23 extending between the respective WindingV mechanisms. The winding mechanism is controlled from the operators position on the truck, a platform 24 comprising a sup port for the operator.

p The pivotal mounting for the platform 2O is located relative to the load bearing surface of the platform in such position that when the platform is uniformly loaded the center` of gravity of the load will lie outside of the pivotal center of the platform. The weight of the load thus has a tendency'to tilt the platform and I provide a mechanism which may be automatically tipped at any predetermined elevation for` releasing the platform whereby the dump body-may be tilted. The swinging movement of the body is utilized for opening a door or end gate in the body.

In Fig. 1, the platform is shown as being of a greater length than the platform supporting the dump body and illustrated in Fig. 2, the platform shown in Fig. 1 being adapted to support and discharge ob- Iiects without the use of a dump body. The tilting of this platform for unloading purposes however is effected in the same manner for both platforms and the tilting mechanism hereinafter described is adaptable for use with a platform when carrying or not carrying a dump body. As shown in Fig. l, the platform 2() is provided with brackets 24 on its underside engaging a pivot bar 25 which is supported by brackets 2G mounted upon the outer ends of the arms 16.

The platform may be'maintained in a normally horizontal position by any suitable latching means, but l prefer to provide a latching means which may be caused to disengage the platform automatically upon a predetermined elevating movement thereof. In Fig. 2, l show a latch mounted upon a pin 3l carried by the L frame. The latch comprises two members extending beyond the sides of the upright frame structure, the forward end being shaped to engage a cross angle 32 secured to the inner end of the platform 20 to prevent the tilting thereof. rlhe lower end of the latch 30 comprises a latch 34 pivotally mounted at 29 on the latch ,30 and positioned to contact with an adjustable trip member 35 mounted upon the upright frame. The latch 34 has the inner end thereof beveled to engage the end 36 of the latch 30 to canse. the upper end of the latch 30 to shift inwardly and thus release platform. The. inner end of the latch 34 is provided with a tension spring 33 whereby it is normally caused to abut the tapered end 36 of the latch 3l). 'lhus the latches 34 and 30 act in unison upon an upward movement of the arms 16, but the latch 34 may be actuated by contacting with the top of the bar 35 upon downward movement. of the arms 16.

The tilting movement of the platform 2O may be limited by any suitable means such as chains 37 secured to the arms 16 and to the` inner ends of the platform. Tension .springs 38, connected to the chains, serve to eliminate the shock to the mechanism consequentto the release of the platform when carrying a heavy load.

In Fig. 2, I show a short platform 2() engaginga dumping body or crate 4l). The tripping mechanism, as stated, comprises a bar 35 adjnstably mounted to the upright frame 15, whereby the platform. may be released at any desired elevation, whence a dump body provided with an end gate, when once positioned upon the platform 20, may be automatically dumped consequent to its elevation by the platform.

The means for maintaining the dump body closed may comprise bell cranked latches preferably mounted upon the sides of the dump body, and lugs 46 positioned adjacent the lower end of a horizontally pivoted gate 47 of the dump body. Bars 48 extend from the bell cranked latches 45 rearwardly to links 49, the links 49 heilig rigidly attached to the ends of a trip bar 5() extending transversely at the rear of the dump body and supported by brackets 5lattached to the real wall of the dump body. The trip bar 5() has an otl'set portion 52 formed mldway of its ends which, when the platform 2() tilts is swung into engagement with a yicldable trip latch 54. The latch 54 is Su ported by a suitable bracket 55 attached to t ie L frame carrying the arms 16.

As shown in Fig. 2,-,the dump bodies are preferably provided with casters 58 which support the dump bodies at a sufficient ele.- vation to permit the maneuvering of the truck whereby the platform 20 may be positioned thereunder, this elevation being such that. the platform will clear lugs 56 protrud- 'ing from the bottom of the dump bodies.

The lugs are formed to en age the platform in suitable openings where y the dump body will be retained upon the platform when both are tilted. The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

When it is desired to load solid objects, for example metallic pigs, into a gondola freight car, the load may be placed upon the platform in any suitable manner while the platform is in the lowered dot and dash position shown in Fig. 1, the latch of course being in engagement with the inner end of the platform. The load is then transported to the place'of unloading with' the platform in a low transportable position. Upon arriving at the side of the railroad car R, the load is elevated by operating the winding mechanisms 21, 22 and cable 23 until the platform is elevated 4above the side of. the freight car.' The latch 30 may then be manually tripped or the tripping bar 35 adjusted to desired tripping position whereupon the platform will tilt to the full line position shown in Fig. 1. The load will lllU lllfi lll) neaasse then slide therefrom into the freight cali, the

tilting action of the platform being effected.

by the unbalanced relation of the load to i the platform pivots 25.

Vhen handling fungible material such as sand, crushed stone etc. the material may be first loaded into the dump body 40 in any convenient manner and the truck platform 20 inserted thereunder bringing the lugs 56 on the body into alignment wlth the `openings therefor in the platform surface. The platform 20 may then be elevated a'slight amount by operation of the winding mechanism to raise the casters 58 free of the floor.

platform cross bar 32. The platform will thereupon begin to tilt, bringing the offset portion 52'of the dump body bar 50 into contact with the yieldable latch 54, `thus swinging the links 49, 'through the' bars 48. This movement of the links is effective to operate the bell crank latches to release the lugs 46 on the end gate 47. The load will thus fiow and be dumped'from the body. The truck may then be operated to remove thebody from juxtaposition with-the railroad car and upon a lowering movement of hthe arms 16, platform and body, the rear casters 58 will contact with the supporting surface ofthe truck, thus causing the body and platform to be swung to horizontal position, whereupon the latch 30 will first be shifted inwardly and then shifted outwardly over the bar 32 by the spring 33.

It will be seen that an industrial truck equipped with .my novel dumping apparatus may have added utility over the Well known uses thereof in that the truck may be used in the ordinary manner for elevating loads without dumping them and when desired it may be used for transporting loads which are to be unloaded by a dumping operation.

Having thus i. ln an industrial truck ofthe tier lift type. the combination of an upright frame,

load elevating mechanism traversing the frame. a tiltable platform carried by said mechanism, a dump body on the platform, a latching device carried Iby said load elevat- 'ing mechanism for preventing a tilting movement of the platform, means to release said latch to permit the platform and dump body to tilt, the dump body having a gate and a latch mechanism carried by the dump body for maintaining the gate in a closed position. r

l 2. In an industrial truck of the tier lift type, the combinationl of an upright frame, a load elevatin mechanism traversing the frame, a tiltab platform carried by said mechanism, a dump body 'on the platform,-a latching device carried by said load elevating mechanism for preventing a tilting movement of the platform, means to release said latch to permit the platform and dump body to tilt, a mechanism acting on the dump body for releasing the loadtherefrom subsequent-to the actuation of said latch.

3. n an industrial truck of the platform elevating type, the combination of a load elevating platform, an elevating frame for pivotally supporting the patform, means carried by the frame for preventing a tilting movement of the platform, stationary means' 'acting on said `last named means `when the platform is elevatedv for permitting a Atilting movement thereof, a-detachable dump body and means for removably securing the dump body to the platform durifng an Velevating movement of the platerm.

4. ln an industrial truck, a load elevating platform, a vvertically movable frame for supporting and elevating thel platform,

'lol

the platform being pivotally mounted upon said. frame, a latch mechanism carried by the frame for preventing a tilting movement of the platform, a removable dump body mounted on the platform, and means for releasing an end gate on the dump body during the tilting movement thereof,

5. In combination with an industrial truck, a load elevating platform, said platform being tiltable, means traveling with the platform in its elevating movement for preventing a tilting movement thereof, a removable dump body attached to the platform and means for automatically opening the dump body dur-ing the tilting` movement of the platform. I

i 6. in an industrial truck of the latform elevatingt pe, the combination o a load Aelevating p atform, means for pivotally supporting the platform while elevating 1t vertically, a latch mechanism for preventing a tilting movement thereof, a stationary latch tripping means adapted to act on said last named means for releasing the platform when the platform is elevated a predetermined distance, whereby the platform and its load may be permitted to tilt, and a dump body which is automatically locked to the platform when the latter is being tilted.

7. ln an industrial truck, a load elevating platform, means for supporting and elevatino' the platform, the platform being pivotallg7 mounted whereby it may tilt, mechanism for engaging one end of the platform to prevent the tilting movement thereof, and a removable dum body held in position on the platform during a tilting movement of the platform and means for automatically opening an end gate of the dump body during the tilting movement of the platform.

8. In an industrial truck, a dump body, a vertically movable means for supporting and elevating the dump body while the latter remains in a horizontal position, the dump body being pivotally mounted upon said means, a latch mechanism carried'by said means for preventing'the tilting movement of the dump body, and means for releasing an end gate on the dump body during a til-ting movement thereof.

9. In combination with an industrial truck, a load elevating means in the form of a dump body, said dump body being tiltable, a mechanism for elevating the dump body while it remains in a horizontal position, means traveling with said mechanism in its elevating movement for preventing a tilting movement of the dump body, the dump body being removably attached to said mechanism, and means for automatically opening the dump body during a tilting movement thereof.

10. In an industrial truck of the tier lift type, the combination of a load elevating platform, means for lifting said platform, means for preventing a tilting movement of the platform, means cooperating with said last named means for permitting tilting thereof, and a detachable load receiving body removably secured to said platform. y

11. In an industrial truck, a load elevatframe, a latch mechanism carried by the frame for preventing a tilting movement of the platform, a removable dump body mounted on the platform, and means for releasing an end gate on the dump body during the tilting movement thereof, at a predetermined elevation.

12. In an industrial truck of the tier lift type, the combination of an upright frame mounted on the body of the truck, a load elevating mechanism traversing said upright frame including means for actuating said load elevating mechanism, said means and load elevatingr mechanism being operative to raise the load vertically, a tiltable platform pivotally mounted to the load elevating mechanism, and a locking mechanism carried by the load elevating mechanism for maintaining the platform normally horizontal whereby the platform may receive a load when the load elevating mechanism is in a lowered position and the truck may transport the load when the load elevating mechanism and platform are in a lowered position, and means for automatically causing the locking mechanism to release lthe platform when the load elevating mechanism raises the load whereby the load may be dumped from the platform at an elevated position.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto atiix my signature.

CLYDE E. CUGHRAN.

Vno 

